Welcome to the resource for East Central Illinois in matching employer needs with job seeker skills.
Hi, I am Jim McShane and I am the Executive Director of the Crossroads Workforce Investment Board. I have over seven years experience in this work of matching employers to job seekers in an administrative capacity. On behalf of my board, I welcome you to this valuable resource. We serve 14 counties in the region and work with about $5 million dollars annually in federal money to help workers train, re-train, and get placed in sustainable wage jobs. We have good partners helping us in this endeavor. To me and my board, the future of our region depends on a well trained and skills matched workforce. To create a vibrant economy once again that will sustain through slow times and good times. To do this we must take advantage on our natural resources in a way that is both sound and respects the long term viability and sustainability of the land.
We have a great potential opportunity in the new FutureGEN project that we hope locates in Mattoon or Tuscola. This will mean great jobs in the construction industry, a Billion dollar investment into the local economy, and many support jobs for the business generated by this plant. The coal resources we have in central and southern Illinois is one answer to the energy needs of America and can supply the nation with various products that are part of the coal gasification process. This means less dependence on foreign sources. This means for the workforce board – JOBS that pay good wages.
In the coming months, our board will join with the consortium of regional leaders in supporting this project and making every effort to see that Illinois is the final choice for this mega investment.
So, browse the web site. As time goes on, we will be adding important information, e-newsletters, minutes of meetings, a meeting calendar, and many other resources related to workforce issues in our region.